"Flee From the Wrath to Come"

"Early one morning fire broke out in a house on a narrow street.
The alarm was sounded by a policeman on duty. Before the fire
engines could get to the scene, flames were leaping high into the
air. Suddenly a young man appeared at an upper window in his
pajamas. Firemen quickly placed a ladder against the burning
building. But to the dismay of all, he refused to come down,
shouting back that he had to get dressed first. The firemen
pleaded, "Come as you are! Come as you are!" but to no avail.
From below they tried to ascend the stairs, but were turned back
as the wind fanned the flames into fury. When a rescuer tried to
enter through a window, the heat and smoke forced him away.
Suddenly the stairs gave way and the roof fell in. The man had
waited too long and was buried beneath the ruins." (Author
Unknown).

   A. How much greater tragedy awaits all who fail to "flee from
      the wrath to come."
      1. There is a great day of wrath coming. 2 Pet. 3:7
      2. A hard and impenitent heart will destroy us. Rom. 2:4-5
   B. If you are not a Christian, let me encourage you to "flee 
      from the wrath to come" by obeying the Lord.
      1. Jesus invites all. Rev. 3:20
      2. Do not delay. Your delay could cost you your soul.
         Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins.
         Acts 2:38
   C. Many Christians are negligent in their service to the Lord.
      Heb. 2:1-2
      1. John the Baptist was condemning the hypocrites of his
         day when he asked, "Who warned you to flee from the
         wrath to come?" Luke 3:7
      2. In other words, whoever had warned them, did not do a
         very good job.
         a. They had been moved by the multitudes and had
            come to him without sincere motive, and as of yet,
            hadn't repented of anything.
      3. He requires of them to bring forth fruits to show that
         they had truly repented. Luke 3:8
   D. All hypocritical Christians need to repent of their 
      hypocrisy, and begin bringing forth fruits showing genuine 
      repentance.
      1. If you have been a hypocritical Christian, why not "flee
         from the wrath to come" by rededicating your life to the
         Lord?
      2. Don't delay! Your delay may cost you your soul.
   E. If we have anyone who is subject to the invitation of 
      Christ in any way, please come as you are--come as you 
      are--as together we stand and sing.